Monkey D. Luffy, the Gomu-Gomu King, is the main protagonist of the hit anime series One Piece. One Piece is also a manga series created by Eiichiro Oda, a famous mangaka from Japan. The manga began its serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997.

One Piece anime adaptation began in 1999. In this post, we are going to be talking about Monkey D. Luffy’s facts in One Piece you didn’t know about. But before that, let’s have the synopsis of this anime series.

This is the story of Monkey D. Luffy, who is on a journey to become the King of Pirates. He gathers crews who have their dreams and simultaneously want to fulfill their captain’s dream. His crew consists of Pirate Hunter Zoro, a genius who wants to be the strongest swordsman in the world.

Cat Burglar Nami is the Navigator. Her goal is to make a map of the entire sea. Vinsmoke Sanji is a chef who wants to find a place called All Blue. Sogeking Usopp is an expert marksman who wants to become a brave warrior of the seas. Devil Child Robin is an archeologist who wants to know the truth about the Void Century.

Tony Tony Chopper is a doctor who wants to find a cure for all the illnesses of the world. Iron Pirate Franky is a craftsman for their ship, Thousand Sunny. The Sea Knight Jinbei had also recently joined the Straw Hat crew. Last but not least is Musician Soul King Brooke, whose goal is to fulfill the promises he made to his friend.

Best Monkey D. Luffy Facts You Didn’t Know About—

The article contains some surprising Monkey D. Luffy facts you might not have any idea about. Some of them are confirmed by the One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda.

Monkey D. Luffy’s Birthday is May 5

In Japan, May 5 is celebrated as Children’s Day. You may not know that in Japanese culture, Children’s Day is a Japanese public holiday that takes place nationwide on May 5. Besides this, according to Wikipedia, it is a final celebration in Golden Week. This day is set aside to respect children’s personality and their happiness.

Our pirate, Monkey D. Luffy, was born on May 5. This verifies the fact that Luffy is a lot more famous than any other anime character among children. Furthermore, if we talk about his nature, he is a lot more childish and jovial in the One Piece anime series. According to Eiichiro Oda, Luffy could be the ideal child for him.

Why Monkey D. Luffy Never Kills His Enemies?

In the One Piece universe, everyone has dreams and works on them. There are equal shares of enemies, too, and Luffy, most of the time, easily defeats those pure evils. But he never kills them. When the enemy loses, they lose their dreams, too. It is a punishment as painful as death.

Oda explained that for Luffy, killing is a very easy punishment. He shatters their dreams by defeating them, which he thinks is an accurate punishment. For a pirate to not kill his enemy, he is actually giving them a second chance in life. That’s why they often become his friends.

Monkey D. Luffy’s Scar Under His Eyes

It is already mentioned earlier that Monkey D. Luffy is way more childish than any other character. So, in earlier days, when he tried to impress Shank and prove his worth, Monkey D. Luffy stabbed himself under his eye.

He stabbed himself so that he could prove that he was courageous and deserved to be in his crew. That’s how rebellious he was since childhood.

Monkey D. Luffy’s Naming

Luffy is a very uncommon name. It doesn’t even sound like it is borrowed from any other culture. When asked about this question, Oda replied it is a name that fits in with the character. But in the One Piece 10th Anniversary Treasure, he revealed that he found something interesting about it.

He said that there is a maritime term called ‘Luffing.’ Indeed, it is a beautiful coincidence. He shared that he did find it out many times later after naming his main protagonist, Luffy.

Monkey D. Luffy’s Favourite Color is Red

Luffy loves wearing his red T-shirt. It might have a reason, too. As a protagonist, Luffy rather wears a simple outfit. He wears a red buttoned shirt, blue shorts, and a straw hat.

Luffy Wearing Red (Credits: Toei Animation)

However, his favorite color is not revealed in the series anywhere. But in One Piece manga, Oda revealed on the SBS section that Monkey D. Luffy’s favorite color is Red.

Both Japanese and English Voice Actors are Female

This iconic anime character, Luffy, has always shared his voice to become the King of the Pirates. He has been known to the world for this for a long time. Just like him, his voice actors have been lending his voice for a long time. It is truly wonderful to admit that not only is the Japanese voice lent by a woman, but also the English dub version (Funimation Dub).

The iconic Japanese voice of Luffy is done by Mayumi Tanaka. This veteran voice actor never let her voice waver for this goofy, childish character. The English voice acting is done by Colleen Clinkenbeard.

Luffy’s Voice Actors. From the Left is English Voice Actor Colleen Clinkenbeard, And on the Right is Japanese Voice Actor Mayumi Tanaka (Credits: Wikipedia)

Both these incredible voice actors never failed to impress us with their talent. It might come as a shock to voice a male character by a female, but these actors never came short in presenting the iconic Luffy.

Other two English voice actors that lent Luffy’s voice earlier were Erica Schroeder and Chuck Powers.

Monkey D. Luffy is Inspired by Goku

Oda is a huge fan of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and his work. He admits that Akira’s work has been a major inspiration for his work and design since his childhood. As we are going for facts, in 2007, both Oda and Akira collaborated on a crossover named Cross Epoch. It is their first manga crossover, which featured some characters from both One Piece and Dragon Ball series.

Goku and Luffy Crossover (Credits: Eiichiro Oda)

Moreover, they had an anime crossover, too, in 2013. Besides this, Luffy is very similar to Goku in many ways. They both have black and pointy hair, and both love eating a lot.

Luffy has a Pure Heart

During the crossover, Luffy appeared riding the Flying Nimbus of Goku. As we all know, a person with a pure heart can travel in the Flying Nimbus, and we saw Luffy riding it, too. It means Luffy has a pure heart, too.

Luffy and Goku in Flying Nimbus (Credits: Toei Animation)

Thanks to Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama sensei’s amazing collaboration.

Gum-gum Fruit Power

The power that Luffy gains after accidentally eating the devil fruit, Gomu-Gomu no Mi, is his ability to stretch like rubber and inflate. But in One Piece Universe, there are various types of Devil Fruits.

Gomu-Gomu Fruit Power (Credits: Toei Animation)

Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi is a paramecia type, which makes his body stretch like rubber. With this ability, he can develop his new creativity and can transform to fight the enemy.

Luffy is the Enemy of the World Government

We all know Luffy has been going places to many World Government Territories and doing whatever he loves. However, it may have helped some innocent citizens. But because he is a pirate, he is a natural enemy of the World Government. Moreover, he has a bounty of 1.5 billion berries as he is a threat to the eyes of the World Government.

Luffy Against World Government (Credits: Eiichiro Oda)

Besides this, Straw Hat Luffy is a loyal person. One time, to save his friend from the cusp of death, he went to great lengths to declare war against the World Government. Furthermore, if he finds the One Piece, he will be a big threat to the World Government.

Luffy is a Voracious Eater

Luffy can eat anything as long as it is food. Being picky is not a choice when he can stuff his mouth with it. He has a crazy fondness for food, and fans already know his favorite food is meat. This voracious eater can easily challenge the other gluttons of the anime world, like Goku and Toriko.

Luffy, Happy Eating Food (Credits: Toei Animation)

Luffy’s obsession with food made Nami consider that he is an omnivorous kind, which means he can eat anything, from insects to unknown mushrooms.

Luffy’s Nationality

In reply to the SBS section question, of what nationality would the Straw Hat characters be? Oda said if Luffy is from the real world, he would be Brazilian. Oda didn’t give any explanation for this. His other characters— Zoro would be Japanese, Nami would be Swedish, Usopp would be African, and Sanji would be French.

Luffy is Brazilian (Credits: Toei Animation)

Oda also said if Luffy is from another world, instead of a pirate, he would be a firefighter. The reason is his fearlessness.

Luffy’s Resemblance to Sunflower

Eiichiro Oda once mentioned that Monkey D. Luffy resembles the sunflower. We all know the sunflower symbolizes jubilation. It is not a sweet coincidence. Rather, it perfectly ties in with the devil fruit, Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika. It means it is related to the Sungod, Nika. To whom the slaves used to worship in the hope of liberating them.

Luffy Gear Resembles to Sunflower (Credits: Toei Animation)

Just like Nika, Luffy is also a ray of hope who brought peace to the tormented people. He fought many tyrants to bring joy to the countless oppressed. Just like this, throughout the series, Luffy fought many enemies who harmed his friends just to bring them peace.

The D. Link to the Pirate King

The boy who aspired to be the King of the Pirates is on the right track to be like the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. For 20 years, we have seen him walking the path towards D. Roger. Besides his goal, they have some other similarities, too.

Pirate King Gol D. Roger (Credits: Toei Animation)

They both share the same initials of ‘D.,’ hinting at a connection of descendants of their clans, which may have been wiped out. These two unintentionally have the same straw hat. Roger and Luffy carry the same personality, and both are respected by allies as well as enemies.

Luffy Appeared in Men’s Fashion Magazine

One can not honestly imagine a manga or anime character gracing the front page of a fashion magazine. Yes, it is possible, and maybe only in Japan. Imagine a character being so popular that he got a chance to be on the cover page of a famous magazine. Yes, Luffy made that possible. He appeared on the cover page of Men’s Non-No fashion magazine.

Luffy For The Fashion Magazine. From Left Men’s Non-No Magazine and in the Right for Elle Men’s Magazine. (Credits: Non-No Magazine and Elle Magazine)

It was possible because this magazine was published under Shueisha, which also publishes the Weekly Shonen Jump. Oda drew that for the first time outside of a manga magazine. The outfits were designed by stylist Shinichi “Miter” Mita, except for the signature straw hat. The whole magazine had models dressed as Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Robin, and more.

He also appeared in Elle Men Magazine along with Zoro for the collaboration work between One Piece and Gucci.

Luffy Appeared in the 39th International Emmy Awards

Luffy, alongside Goku, appeared at the 39th International Emmy Awards in New York. The costume character version of Luffy and Goku presented the Children & Young People Award category on stage.

One Piece and Dragon Ball anime’s production studio, Toei Animation, was one of the sponsors of the 2011 International Emmy Awards. The director of the company, Kanji Kazahaya, expressed the honor of being a part of the presenter at the International Emmy Awards. He also expressed the worldwide fame of these anime series that transcend international borders.

Luffy is the Youngest Yonko

In the Wano Country Arc, after Luffy’s wonderful efforts, he was given a bounty of 3 Billion Berries. Alongside this, he was named one of the new Yonko. That means the Straw Hat crew would be recognized as one of the four most powerful pirate crew. It was a big accomplishment for the Straw Hat crew.

Shanks and Luffy The Youngest Yonko. In the Left Luffy and the Right Shanks (Credits: Toei Animation)

Luffy is now the youngest pirate who gained the title Yonko. He replaced Shanks, who previously carried the title of youngest Yonko. The title also means that in the pursuit of One Piece, there will be other pirates behind him who also want to claim the same thing, One Piece.

Luffy’s Tank Tops Have Puns on Them

In the SBS section of the manga, Oda clarified the jokes/puns on the tank tops of Luffy and his brother Ace. In the manga, Luffy sometimes appears wearing tank tops that always have something written on them. They are literal puns appropriate to Japanese culture, which can only be understood by the Japanese audience.

Luffy’s Tanks Tops Has Puns (Credits: Eiichiro Oda)

It also has the translation in the manga. However, some of them are so obscure that people who can read Japanese won’t understand. Luffy’s brother, Ace, also wore tank tops that had similar jokes on them.

Luffy’s Crewmates Only Have No Nicknames

Luffy has this kind of aloof personality who doesn’t care about names. He gives nicknames to random people he meets here and there. But the only exception is his crewmates.

Luffy’s Crewmates Straw Hat Crew (Credits: Toei Animation)

Oda explained that Luffy gives nicknames to people according to their impression, whether they like it or not. Because he doesn’t care to remember their names. He only remembers them when they become his crewmates and calls them by their names. It implies that he respects them and forms a strong bond with them.

Monkey D. Luffy was one of the Ambassadors of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic

The Japan Olympics Committee first revealed that Monkey D. Luffy, along with other iconic anime characters, will be the ambassadors of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Even the advertising promo for the Tokyo Olympics was created in the form of an anime. As expected from the country that gifted us the manga and anime world, Japan.

The official report shows characters from 8 anime shows: Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, Shinchan, Monkey D. Luffy, Naruto, Jibanyan (Yokai Watch), Goku (Dragon Ball Super), and Cure Miracle with Cure Magical (Maho Girls Precure!). They were also included in the promotional items and official merchandise for the event.